Fox told reporters that he hadn't even heard the comments from Belichick, who railed against Welker's vicious block on Talib as "one of the worst plays I've seen" and a "deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib. No attempt to get open."

"I would say that most pass routes we run, there's an intent to get open," Fox said with a smile.

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We argued Sunday that Welker should have been called for pass interference, but officials viewed the scenario as a judgment call over whether contact between Welker and Talib occurred as the ball was being touched by Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas.

Officials deemed that no flag be thrown. That's your first hint that Welker might avoid punishment.